Progressives back substitute teacher over Wasserman Schultz in Florida
Group backs Elijah Manley in primary election in bid to unseat veteran Democrat in newly drawn district A progressive group has endorsed a 27-year-old substitute teacher who overcame childhood homelessness in his bid to unseat the veteran Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Florida. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) said it was backing Elijah Manley in next week’s primary election…
A progressive group is backing 27-year-old Elijah Manley, a substitute teacher who overcame childhood homelessness, in the primary election to challenge long-serving Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Florida's newly drawn 20th congressional district. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) views the race as a contest between a young economic populist and a veteran of the Democratic party establishment.
Wasserman Schultz, a 59-year-old 11-term congresswoman and former chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), faces criticism from African American leaders over her decision to run as a white candidate in a majority-minority district where she is not a resident. This follows the creation of gerrymandered congressional maps by Florida Republicans, which divided Wasserman Schultz's current seat into five pieces.
Other candidates in the primary include Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Dale Holness, and Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell. Manley, who is Black, grew up homeless in Fort Lauderdale's Sistrunk neighborhood and is campaigning on universal healthcare, a federal jobs guarantee, and an economy that works for workers, not just the wealthy. Stephanie Taylor, a co-founder of the PCCC, praised Manley's campaign platform and expressed hope that voters are ready for new fighters like him.
A recent poll showed Manley could pose a serious challenge to Wasserman Schultz, leading 36% to 27% when voters were given biographical information about the candidates.
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